The Hands-On Team possesses a philosophical belief in the importance and necessity of infection prevention and management principles and evidence-based practices that are of a multidisciplinary nature.
The Consultants and Advisors have the knowledge and motivation necessary for their safe and effective implementation in the workplace, resulting in favourable outcomes for the customer.
Hands-On Infection Control commenced business in January 1998. The business was borne out of the desire to improve access to advice and support on infection prevention and control issues for those out-of-hospital health services in Western Australia who at the time did not have the expert or proficient level of knowledge and skill capacity within their own organisations. Our founding Director Megan Reilly had accumulated considerable experience over the preceding 15 years working in the hospital, home, community and residential care sectors both in the United Kingdom and Australia. After returning home to Perth from the UK and gainfully employed for 12 years as Infection Control/HIV Consultant for the largest home and residential care provider in Australia at the time, moving into the consultancy space was a natural transition. Since 1988, the boutique business has expanded and today provides IPC consultancy, advisory, immunisation and education services to a large health and human service organisation clientele across Australia.
Our client base includes office-based medical, dental and allied health practices; residential aged, disability and mental health facilities; private inpatient and day hospitals; home and community care services; early childhood education centres; the aviation industry; and local Government services. A small team of IPC and sterilisation consultants and advisors, immunisation nurses, administration staff and a project officer support our clients to achieve their desired outcomes.
RN BN MHlthSc (Inf Control) TAE40116 Cert IV in Training & Assessment Immunisation Certificate NHHI Gold Standard Auditor & Assessor MACN
Megan is a registered general nurse with a Certificate in Infection Control obtained from Fremantle Hospital (1988). She obtained her Bachelor of Nursing at Edith Cowan University in 1999, Masters in Health Science (Infection Control) with Honors at Griffith University in 2002, Immunisation Certificate in 2008 and TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment in 2015.
Megan has 35 years knowledge, skills and experience working in the specialist area of infection prevention and management, and HIV/AIDS in the community, residential, office-based, acute, ambulatory and day surgery health care settings. Over the years, she has attended and presented posters and papers at state, national and international conferences, published in Australian Infection Control peer-review journal, established a respite house for people living with HIV disease, guest lectured to undergraduate nurses at Edith Cowan University and until recently co-coordinated a Graduate Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control course with the Centre for Nursing Education at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
In 1998 Megan commenced Hands-On Infection Control which provides an infection prevention advisory, education and immunisation services to over 100 acute, community, residential, volunteer, office-based, day surgery, rehabilitation, child care, personal services, corrective/justice, aviation, industry and training organisations in both metropolitan, rural and remote Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Megan continues to participate in professional development opportunities, which reflect the need to know of, understand and professionally practice evidence-based infection prevention and management. Her professional memberships include the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC), Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology Inc (APIC), Australian College of Nursing (ACN), Sterilizing Research & Advisory Council of Australia (SRACA WA), Australian College of Operating Room Nurses (ACORN) Ltd, Gastroenterological Nurses College of Australia (GENCA) and Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA).
Megan has held executive positions on both State and National infection control professional associations/colleges. She was appointed as a Director to the First Executive Council of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) in January 2012 for a period of two years. Megan is currently a member of the ACIPC Scientific Conference Committee with a keen focus on developing the aged care program. In 2022, she was appointed to the RACGP Technical Working Group which reviewed the infection prevention and control guidelines. Megan is also a subject mater expert (SME) with the Victorian Infection Prevention Helpline.
RN BN Midwifery Cert Grad Cert in Infection Control Immunisation Cert TAE40110 Cert IV Training & Assessment HH Auditor & Assessor Yvonne completed her Degree in Applied Science (Registered Nurse) at the WA Institute of Technology in 1984 and Bachelor of Applied Science (Nursing) in 1991. After completing her Midwifery certificate at KEMH in 1988 she moved into day surgery where she remained for 27 years, combining a clinical and management role including staff development, WH&S, quality, accreditation (ACHS and ISO 9001) and infection prevention and control.
Yvonne completed the Graduate Certificate in Infection Control in 2007/2008, Immunisation Certificate in 2009, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment in 2014, and became a Hand Hygiene Auditor & Assessor in 2016. She is currently a member of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACICP). Yvonne joined the Hands-On team in May 2009 and brings with her a wealth of experience in the day surgery and residential care settings.
RN BSc (Nursing); Graduate Certificate in Infection Prevention & Control; Immunisation Certificate
Sandra completed her Bachelor of Science (Nursing) degree at Curtin University in 1992. After undertaking further studies and gaining clinical experience in a variety of specialties, she left Australia in 1996 to work in the UK. This included clinical work within the NHS and the maritime industry. It was during her extensive travels overseas that she first saw the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases in third-world countries. This has led to further studies in tropical nursing in London, and undertaking a Post-Graduate Certificate in Infection Prevention & Control upon her return to Perth. Sandra has since worked extensively within the Ophthalmic day-surgery arena both in clinical and management roles, and is currently a member of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACICP).
Gyem is a skilled professional with extensive experience in managerial and technical jobs in the public sector in Bhutan. She has six years of experience working for a government agency and has learned a lot about the complexities of project management and putting information and communication technology (ICT) solutions into practice.
She has effectively managed a variety of duties throughout her career, including supervising administrative operations, leading teams, and guaranteeing the efficient completion of projects. She has comprehensive knowledge of technology infrastructure, systems analysis, and software development through her work as an ICT officer. She has a bachelor’s degree in IT and is presently pursuing a master’s degree in the same industry, in addition to her hands-on experience. Gyem joined the Hands-On team as a Project/Administration Officer in August 2023.
Rosemary Cave is our first point of contact as our Administrative Assistant. She has over 20 years administration experience in Occupational Health. Rose began her career in Australia Post working in their Work Environment Services area before moving to work in private practice. She completed a Medical Receptionist Course in 2001 and has a Diploma in Physiatrics. Rose joined Hands-On Infection Control in 2011.
We are proud to offer a wide range of infection prevention and control comprehensive services to meet the needs of our clients in a variety of settings. This includes but not limited to, mentoring IPC leads, development and review of fit for purpose policies and procedures, program systems reviews, environmental and work practices risk assessments, administration of adult employee immunisation programs, and education, training and competency activities.
